Corpus Christi police officer indicted on felony charge

Officer accused of tampering with a surveillance system

CORPUS CHRISTI - A Corpus Christi police officer has been indicted on allegations that he tampered with a surveillance system that could’ve been used against him in a criminal investigation.

Senior Officer Tommy Cabello was indicted on a charge of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, a third-degree felony.

As of late Thursday, Cabello had not been arrested.

If convicted, he could face two to 10 years in prison and as much as a $10,000 fine.

The indictment accuses Cabello, 37, of intentionally altering, destroying or concealing the surveillance system during an investigation Robstown police said was into accusations he assaulted his sister-in-law.

Robstown police were called to Cabello’s home on Ligustrum Boulevard last month related to a report of family violence.

Robstown police Lt. Gilbert Gomez said that at the time there wasn’t cause to arrest Cabello, but that a criminal investigation was started. Gomez said Thursday that Robstown’s department has concluded its investigation and turned the case over to the District Attorney’s Office.

Corpus Christi Police Chief Troy Riggs put Cabello on paid administrative leave after learning about that investigation. Cabello still is on paid leave and there is an ongoing internal investigation, department spokeswoman Julie Garcia said Thursday.

She said Riggs had not yet seen the indictment and referred questions on the criminal case to Robstown police.